Reducing errors in sending file attachments

ABSTRACT

The claimed subject matter comprises a technology to scan a document for file attachments, generate alternative file names corresponding to a particular attachment, determine whether or not the particular file attachment is the latest version of a file or has a name and/or file path that could be confused with the name and/or path of another file. In the event one of the above conditions are met, the technology provides the means for a user to verify that the file attachment is the desired file and, if necessary, to select an alternative file for attachment.

BACKGROUND

The claimed subject matter relates generally to electronic mail, oremail, and, more specifically, to a method to ensure that an emailattachment is the correct file.

SUMMARY

The claimed subject matter comprises a technology to scan a document forfile attachments, generate alternative file names corresponding to aparticular attachment, determine whether or not the particular fileattachment is the latest version of a file or has a name and/or filepath that could be confused with the name and/or path of another file.In the event one of the above conditions are met, the technologyprovides the means for a user to verify that the file attachment is thedesired file and, if necessary, to select an alternative file forattachment.

This summary is not intended as a comprehensive description of theclaimed subject matter but, rather, is intended to provide a briefoverview of some of the functionality associated therewith. Othersystems, methods, functionality, features and advantages of the claimedsubject matter will be or will become apparent to one with skill in theart upon examination of the following figures and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the claimed subject matter can be obtainedwhen the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments isconsidered in conjunction with the following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is one example of a computing system architecture that mayimplement the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an Attachment Validation Component (AVC),first introduced in FIG. 1, in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a Process File process thatincorporates an example of processing that may implement an aspect ofthe claimed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a Check Attachment process that isone example of processing that may implement an aspect of the claimedsubject matter.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a Process Attachment process that isone example of processing that may implement an aspect of the claimedsubject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

One embodiment, in accordance with the claimed subject, is directed to aprogrammed method for validating file attachments. The term “programmedmethod”, as used herein, is defined to mean one or more process stepsthat are presently performed; or, alternatively, one or more processsteps that are enabled to be performed at a future point in time. Theterm ‘programmed method” anticipates three alternative forms. First, aprogrammed method comprises presently performed process steps. Second, aprogrammed method comprises a computer-readable medium embodyingcomputer instructions, which when executed by a computer performs one ormore process steps. Finally, a programmed method comprises a computersystem that has been programmed by software, hardware, firmware, or anycombination thereof, to perform one or more process steps. It is to beunderstood that the term “programmed method” is not to be construed assimultaneously having more than one alternative form, but rather is tobe construed in the truest sense of an alternative form wherein, at anygiven point in time, only one of the plurality of alternative forms ispresent.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

Over the past several decades, computer users have become increasinglyconnected by networks, including the Internet. This connectivity hasenabled users to communicate via electronic mail, or “email.” As emailhas become more ubiquitous, the utility has also expanded. Today, mostpeople use email for a variety of personal and business reason.

One common utility associated with email is the attachment of files. Inaddition to a typical text message, people transmit as attachmentsphotographs, documents, spreadsheets and so on as file attachments. If auser who is in the process of editing a document, transmits the documentas an email attachment before the latest changes have been saved tomemory, currently available email programs will attach a copy of thedocument that is out of date, i.e. the attached document does notinclude any changes made after the last save. This is because manyprograms such as, but not limited to, word processors, photo editors andspreadsheets create a temporary file when a particular file is opened.These programs save changes to the temporary file and only update theoriginal file when the user explicitly saves the file.

In another scenario, an email program displays a file listing so that auser can select a particular file to attach to an email. If there aremultiple files with similar names such as a file with multiple versionsor multiple files with the same name that are stored in differentdirectories, a user may inadvertently select the wrong version or thewrong file for attachment.

Provided is a method for validating file attachments to ensure that theattached files are not, among other things, stale or outdated. TheSpecification uses a word processing program as an example but it shouldbe understood that the disclosed techniques are applicable to, but notlimited to, word processing, spreadsheet and any other documentapplication that relies upon making, or relies upon another applicationthat makes, a temporary copy of a document. The disclosed techniques arealso applicable to any operating systems, or “platform,” including butnot limited to, WINDOWS®, published by the Microsoft Corporation ofRedmond, Wash., and versions of Linus/Unix.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one example ofa computing system architecture 100 that may incorporate the claimedsubject matter. A client system 102 includes a processor 104, coupled toa monitor 106, a keyboard 108 and a mouse 110, which together facilitatehuman interaction with computing system 100 and client system 102. Alsoincluded in client system 102 and attached to processor 104 is a datastorage component 112, which may either be incorporated into processor104, i.e. an internal device, or attached externally to processor 104 bymeans of various, commonly available connection devices such as but notlimited to, a universal serial bus (USB) port (not shown).

Data storage 112 is illustrated storing an operating system (OS) 114that controls the operation of computing system 102, an example of anapplication that employs file attachments, or App_1 116, a AttachmentVerification Component (AVC) 118 that implements the claimed subjectmatter, a file used as an example throughout the Description, or File_1120, and a file used throughout the Description as an example ofattachment, or Atth_1 122. In this example, AVC 118 is configured towork in conjunction with OS 114 to implement the claimed subject matterand is described in more detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 3-5. Inthe alternative AVC 118 could be incorporated into App_1 116, either asan integral component or as a plug-in module. Those with skill in thecomputing arts should appreciate that there are multiple OSs, or“platforms,” to which the claimed subject matter applies.

Client system 102 and processor 104 are connected a local area network(LAN) 124, which is also connected to a server computer 126. Although inthis example, processor 104 and server 126 are communicatively coupledvia LAN 124, they could also be coupled through any number ofcommunication mediums such as, but not limited to, the Internet (notshown). Further, it should be noted there are many possible computingsystem configurations, of which computing system 100 is only one simpleexample.

Server computer 126 is coupled to a data storage 128, which like datastorage 114, which may either be incorporated into server 126, i.e. aninternal device, or attached externally to server 126 by means ofvarious, commonly available connection devices such as but not limitedto, a USB port (not shown).

Also communicatively coupled to the LAN 124 is a second client computer132, which like client computer 102, includes a data storage 134. Datastorage 134 also includes an AVC component 136, which may handle fileattachment issues with respect to various applications (not shown) onclient 132 in a fashion similar to AVC 118 on client computer 102.Although not shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that each ofserver 126 and client 132 include a processor, monitor, keyboard andmouse like components 104, 106, 108 and 110, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of AVC 118, first introduced in FIG. 1, inmore detail. In this example, AVC 118 is stored on data storage 112(FIG. 1) and executed on processor 104 (FIG. 1) of client system 102(FIG. 1). Of course, AVC 118 could also be stored and executed onanother computing system such as server 122 that executes services forclient system 102. For example, electronic mail servers are oftenlocated on remote computing systems. AVC 118 includes an input/output(I/O) module 140, an AVC Configuration module 142, an AVC Control module144 and a data cache component 146. It should be understood that therepresentation of AVC 118 in FIG. 2 is a logical model. In other words,components 140, 142, 144, 146 and other components described below maybe stored in the same or separate files and loaded and/or executedwithin system 100 either as a single system or as separate processesinteracting via any available inter process communication (IPC)techniques.

I/O module 140 handles communication AVC 118 has with other componentsof computing system 102 and system 100. AVC configuration module 142stores parameters defined by an administrator to control the setup andoperation of AVC 118. Examples of such configuration parameters include,but are not limited to, security settings, display options and so on. Inaddition, parameters may be defined that list potential users,applications and computing hosts and corresponding degrees of filematching and specific implementations of the claimed technology.

AVC Control module 144 stored the logic that controls the operation ofAVC 118. Examples of logic modules that may be included in module 144include a Discovery Engine 150 and a Sort module 152. Control logic 144extracts filenames and directories corresponding to an attachment andfeed this information into discovery engine 150. Discovery engine 150scans file directories of data storage 112 to locate possiblealternative files for any particular attached file. Particular portionsof data storage 112 that are searched as well as the degree ofcorrespondence between an attached file and a potential alternative arecontrolled by parameters stored in AVC configuration 142.

Discovery engine 150 includes a Discovery Algorithms module 154 and aDirectory Explorer module 156, both of which execute logic associatedwith Discovery engine 150. Discovery algorithms module 154 includes aRegular Expression (RE) generator 158, which generates regularexpressions corresponding to a file under examination, and a AssociateFilename (AFN) Generator 160, which employs the regular expressionsgenerated by module 158 to create a list of possible alternative filenames.

AVC control 144 also includes Sort module 152 that organizes theinformation collected by Discovery Engine 150. The operation ofDiscovery Engine 150, Discovery Algorithms module 154, RE generator 158,AFN generator 160, Directory Explorer 156 and Sort module 152 areexplained in more detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 3-5.

Data Cache 146 is a data repository for information, including settingsand lists that AVC 118 requires during operation. Examples of the typesof information stored in cache 146 include, but are not limited to,specific files and directories employed in conjunction with AVC control144, corresponding patterns associated with the processing of modules154 and 156. In addition, cache 146 may store intermediate resultsassociated with the processing of AVC 118.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an Process File process 200 that isone example of an application the incorporates the claimed subjectmatter. In this example, logic associated with process 200 is stored ondata storage 112 (FIG. 1) as part of AVC 118 (FIG. 1) and executed onprocessor 104. In the alternative, process 200 may be incorporated intoApp_1 116 (FIG. 1).

Process 200 starts in a “Begin Process File” block 202 and proceedsimmediately to a “Retrieve File” block 204. During block 204, a file, inthis example file_1 120 (FIG. 1), associated with App_1 116 istransmitted to AVC 118 as part of an example of an implementation of theclaimed subject matter. Typically, file_1 120 is transmitted to AVC 118once has user has indicated that processing of file_120 is complete. Forexample once an email has been prepared and a “Send” button has beenclicked. In the alternative, app_1 116 may provide the option ofchecking a file at any time.

During a “File Attachment?” block 206, process 200 determines whether ornot file_1 120 includes one or more attachments such as attch_1 122. Ifso, process 200 proceeds to a “Check Attachments” block 208, which isdescribed in detail below in conjunction with FIG. 4. During an“Attachments Approved” block 210, process 200 determines whether or notthe attachments detected during block 206 and checked during block 208have been approved for transmission. It should be noted that parametersmay be set to establish automatic approval procedures, e.g. the attachedfile is the most current, or require that all attachments be subjectedto user scrutiny.

If all attachments have not been approved, either automatically orexplicitly by a user depending upon setup parameters, process 200proceeds to a “Process Attachment” block 212 during which the user whoattached the file is given the opportunity to either select another fileform a list provided by AVC 118 or cancel the attachment and start overwith a selection. Processing associated with block 212 is described inmore detail below in conjunction with FIG. 5. Control then returns toCheck Attachments block 208 and processing continues as described above.

If process 200 determines during block 206 that file_1 120 does notinclude an attachment or if, during block 210, the user has indicatedthat attached files are the intended attachments, control proceeds to a“Complete Processing” block 214. During block 214, the originalintention of app_1 116 is executed. For example, if app_1 116 is anemail program, the file and the attachment, if there is one, istransmitted, or sent, to the intended recipient(s). Finally, during an“End Process File” block 219, process 200 is complete.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a Check Attachment process 250 thatis one example of processing that may implement the claimed subjectmatter (see 208, FIG. 3). In this example, logic associated with process250 is stored on data storage 112 (FIG. 1) as part of AVC 118 (FIGS. 1and 2) and executed on processor 104. In the alternative, process 200,as well as AVC 118, may either be incorporated into either OS 114(FIG. 1) or an application such as App_1 116 (FIG. 1).

Process 250 starts in a “Begin Check Attachment (Attch.)” block 252 andproceeds immediately to a “Get Attch. Info” block 254. During block 254,process 250 gathers information about file that is being processed, inthis example Attch_1 122 (see element 150, FIG. 2 and process 200, FIG.3). Information typically includes, but is not limited to, the name ofthe file, dates and times associated with the file, the directory fromwhich the file originated and a version number if the file is part of aseries of related files.

During a “Generate Regular Expression File Names (REFN)” block 256,process 250, based upon the name of the file of attch_1 122 andinformation from AVC configuration 142 (FIG. 2), generates regularexpressions corresponding to the name of attch_1 122 (see element 158,FIG. 2). For example, if attch_1 122 has a name of “FileName v1.txt” aregular expression may be “FileName*.txt,” which would match and filessuch as “FileName v2.txt” and “FileName v3.txt.” Regular expressions maybe based upon the name of a file and/or on conventions associated withOS 114 such as, but not limited to, particular directory naming or fileextension conventions. For example, some platforms store temporary filesin a specific directory, e.g. a “/tmp” directory while other platformsstore temporary in a current directory and either add a ‘˜’ character atthe beginning of a file name or modify the file extension.

During a “Generate Associated Names” block 258, process 250 generatesthe names of possible alternative file name that may be associated withattch_1 122 (see element 160, FIG. 2). For example, if a user is workingwith revisions of documents, alternative files include the differentrevision numbers. Files names may be collected based upon the date andtime the files were created and modified. The names of files that havesimilar spellings may also be generated employing algorithms typicallyassociated with spell-checking logic. In addition, names are generatedthat may be associated with any temporary versions of a file. Forexample, if a file entitled “file.txt” is currently opened by a wordprocessing application (WPA), the WPA may be storing unsaved changes toa file entitled “˜file.txt.” Those with skill in the computing artsshould appreciate the many variations that could be employed to generateassociated file names. Control of how thorough the generation ofalternative files is to be depends upon configuration parameters set bya system administrator or user (see element 142, FIG. 2).

During a “Search System” block 260, process 250 scans memory associatedwith client system 102, which may include such memory as data storage112 and remote storage such as data storage 128 (FIG. 1) to locateactual files that match the file names generated during block 258 (seeelement 150, FIG. 2). During a “Sort List” block 262, process 250 sortsthe list of actual file names collected during block 260 to produce asorted list of file names (see element 152, FIG. 2). Depending uponconfiguration parameters, the list may be sorted by version number,date/time of creation or modification or any of a number of possiblescenarios. Files may be sorted based upon the closeness of a name ordirectory match. In this manner, more likely alternative files may belisted first and less likely files listed later. A displayed listing mayalso include a degree of correlation between a particular selected filesand possible alternatives.

During a “Meet Parameters?” block 264, process 250 determines whether ornot the original file, which in this example is attch_1 122, meets theconfiguration parameters established for automatic acceptance. As notedabove, the parameters may also be set so that any attachment must beverified by a user, i.e. there is not automatic approval. If so, attch_1122 is marked as “Approved” during a “Mark Not Approved (NA)” block 266and, if not, attch_122 is marked as not approved during a “Make NotApproved” block 268. Control then proceeds to a “More Attach.?” block266 during which process 250 determines whether or not there are moreattachments associated with file_1 120. If so, control returns to block254 and processing continues as described above with respect to the nextattachment. If not, control proceeds to an “End Check Attach.” block 269in which process 250 is complete.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a Process Attachment process 300that is one example of processing that may implement the claimed subjectmatter (see element 212, FIG. 3). In this example, logic associated withprocess 300 is stored on data storage 112 (FIG. 1) as part of AVC 118(FIGS. 1 and 2) and executed on processor 104. In the alternative,process 300, as well as AVC 118, may either be incorporated into eitherOS 114 (FIG. 1) or an application such as App_1 116 (FIG. 1).

Process 300 starts in a “Begin Process Attachment (Attch.)” block 302and proceeds immediately to a “Get Attch.List” block 304. During block304, process 300 receives a list associated with an attachment such asattch_1 122 (FIG. 1) that has been checked and possibly marked forcloser review in conjunction with a list of alternative file names thathave been generated (see process 250, FIG. 4). During an “OfferSelection” block 306, process 300 generates a graphical user interface(GUI) for display on monitor 106 so that the user can see thealternative files and make a selection.

During a “Attch. Approved?” block 308, process 300 determines whether ornot the user has selected a file in the list displayed during block 306or has indicated that more attachments need to be scrutinized forselection. If the user has approved an attachment, control proceeds to a“Select Attch.” block 310 during which the selected file is added tofile_1 120 as an attachment for transmission.

If no attachment is a list of attachments has been approved during block308, process 300 proceeds to a “Delete Selection” block 314 during whichattch_1 122 is deselected for attachment. Once processing has completedin blocks 310 or 316, control proceeds to a “More Lists?” block 312during which process 300 determines whether or no there are more listsof attachments to process. If so, control returns to block 304 andprocessing continues as described above on the next list. If not,control proceeds to an “End Process File” block 319 in which process 300is complete.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

1. A method, comprising: detecting a file attachment associated with anelectronic mail message (email); generating a regular expression basedon a name associated with the file attachment in response to thedetecting; generating a list of alternative file names based upon theregular expression, wherein each listed file name corresponds to adifferent alternative file of a plurality of possible alternative files;sorting the list of alternative file names according to a sort parameterto produce a sorted list; displaying the sorted list in a graphical userinterface (GUI); and replacing the file attachment with an alternativefile attachment corresponding to one of the different alternative filesselected from the displayed sorted list displayed in the GUI.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising transmitting to a receiving partythe alternative file attachment in conjunction with the email inresponse to the replacing of the file attachment.
 3. The method of claimfurther comprising: not replacing the file attachment in response to anindication of no selection from the displayed sorted list displayed inthe GUI; and transmitting the file attachment in conjunction with theemail to a receiving party.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sortparameter is based upon a modification date and time associated with theattached file and each file of the plurality possible alternative files.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sort parameter is based upon aversion number associated with the attached file and each file of theplurality possible alternative files.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe regular expression is generated based upon the name of the fileattachment.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the regular expressionconforms to conventions of directory names and file extensions of aplatform on which the application executes.
 8. A system, comprising: aprocessor; a computer readable storage medium coupled to the processor;and logic, stored on the computer readable storage medium and executedon the processor, for: detecting a file attachment associated with anelectronic mail message (email); generating a regular expression basedon a name associated with the file attachment in response to thedetecting; generating a list of alternative file names based upon theregular expression, wherein each listed file name corresponds to adifferent alternative file of as plurality of possible alternativefiles; sorting the list of alternative file names according to a sortparameter to produce a sorted list; displaying the sorted list in agraphical user interface (GUI); and replacing the file attachment withan alternative file attachment corresponding to one of the differentalternative files selected from the displayed sorted list displayed inthe GUI.
 9. The system of claim 8, the logic further comprising logicfor transmitting to a receiving party the alternative file attachment inconjunction with the email in response to the replacing of the fileattachment.
 10. The system of claim 8, the logic further comprisinglogic for: transmitting the file attachment in conjunction with theemail to a receiving party; wherein the file attachment is not replacedin response to an indication of no selection from the displayed sortedlist displayed in the GUI.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the sortparameter is based upon a modification date and time associated with theattached file and each file of the plurality possible alternative files.12. The system of claim 8, wherein the sort parameter is based upon aversion number associated with the attached file and each file of theplurality possible alternative files.
 13. The system of claim 8, whereinthe regular expression is generated based upon the name of the fileattachment.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the regular expressionconforms to conventions of directory names and file extensions of aplatform on which the application executes.
 15. A computer programmingproduct, comprising: a non-transitory computer readable storage medium;and logic, stored on the computer readable storage medium for executionon a processor, for: detecting a file attachment associated with anelectronic mail message (email); generating a regular expression basedon a name associated with the file attachment in response to thedetecting; generating a list of alternative file names based upon theregular expression, wherein each listed file name corresponds to adifferent alternative file of a plurality of possible alternative files;sorting the list of alternative file names according to a sort parameterto produce a sorted list; displaying the sorted list in a graphical userinterface (GUI); and replacing the file attachment with an alternativefile attachment corresponding to one of the different alternative filesselected from the displayed sorted list displayed in the GUI.
 16. Thecomputer programming product of claim 15, the logic further comprisinglogic for transmitting to a receiving party the alternative file inconjunction with the email in response to the replacing of the fileattachment.
 17. The computer programming product of claim 15, the logicfurther comprising logic for: transmitting the file attachment inconjunction with the email to a receiving party; wherein the fileattachment is not replaced in response to an indication of no selectionfrom the displayed sorted list displayed in the GUI.
 18. The computerprogramming product of claim 15, wherein the sort parameter is basedupon a modification date and time associated with the attached file andeach file of the plurality possible alternative files.
 19. The computerprogramming product of claim 15, wherein the sort parameter is basedupon a version number associated with the attached file and each file ofthe plurality possible alternative files.
 20. The computer programmingproduct of claim 15, wherein the regular expression is generated basedupon the name of the file attachment.
 21. The method of claim 1, thegenerating the regular expression comprising processing the nameassociated with the file attachment with spell checking logic.
 22. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the regular expression represents possiblenames, generated by spell checking logic, associated with theattachment.
 23. The computer programming product of claim 15, whereinthe regular expression represents names, generated by spell checkinglogic, associated with the file attachment.